Getting Started

Here are six basic steps to get you started.

1. Learn the Art

A chocolate is a chocolate. Be it in any shape it tastes just divine. But if you plan to sell it, then you need to know the art of making it look tempting.

Well, creative or not, you do need at least a crash course on the practical process of making an assorted variety of chocolates. And if you don't know how to make it, then a course in chocolate making will definitely be helpful.

Most courses are for a day or two and last for a duration of 2-4 hours per day. The fees could vary between Rs. 400 to Rs. 1000 approximately.

Most newspapers carry ads on chocolate making courses in your locality. There are also professional courses conducted by pastry chefs. These are also advertised regularly in papers and magazines.

2. Make the Investment

The amount that you plan to invest in this business depends on the type of chocolate and the quantity you plan to make. So if you plan to specialise in rum balls, then don't forget to add in the price of rum along with the cocoa, sugar and other ingredients.

So for starters at least consider an initial investment of Rs. 1000 to Rs. 5000. You may also have to invest in moulds that give interesting and appealing shapes to your chocolates.

If you don't have a refrigerator, then invest in one. This is required for the setting of chocolate. Also consider the packaging factor. To make your product more appealing, you can package it in cute boxes or satchels with bows or ribbons.

3. Add the Right Ingredients

The ingredients will again depend on the type of chocolate you are planning to make. But the basic ingredients remain the same. You can either buy packaged cocoa powder that is available in all supermarkets or if you are strict on authenticity then you can buy cocoa beans and roast and powder it at home.

You would also need to buy bitter or milk chocolate slabs, butter, icing sugar, dry fruits and nuts, depending on what you want to use as a filling for your chocolate.

4. Put in Time

Making a batch of fifty chocolate pieces would take you anywhere between half to one hour. So if you intend to begin with just 500 chocolate pieces, then expect to put in at least 4-5 hours of work.